What does slathered mean?
Slathered is the past tense and past participle of the verb slather, meaning to spread, smear, or coat something thickly and often carelessly. The action is especially associated with substances such as butter, cream, paint, mud, or sunscreen. The word can also function as an adjective when describing someone or something covered in such a substance: a face slathered with mud, for example. In figurative use, slathered can imply lavish or indiscriminate application, as in describing an artist or critic who “slathered” a work with praise. The expression is informal, vivid, and common in British and American English. Its emphasis is typically on abundance and a lack of precision, making it more expressive than the neutral words coated, covered, or smeared.
To spread or smear a substance thickly over something, usually with little precision or restraint.
"He slathered sunscreen over his face before the hike."
Often informal; commonly implies an excessive or careless amount.
Covered, coated, or spread thickly with a substance; heavily marked with something.
"Her boots were slathered with mud after the walk."
The descriptive use is usually informal and can suggest that the substance was applied unevenly or in excessive quantity.
From makeup to mud, “slathered” describes a generous—and often gloriously careless—covering.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slathered come from?
Slathered is an English inflection formed by adding the standard past-tense and past-participle ending -ed to slather. The deeper origin of the base verb is uncertain, although it is well established in modern British and American English.
Related word forms
How slathered is actually used
The expression is informal and often suggests that the substance has been applied freely, unevenly, or in excessive quantity. It is common in both British and American English.